Travelling from San Francisco International Airport (SFO) to Chengdu: what you need to know
Chengdu is 15 hours ahead of San Francisco, where San Francisco International Airport is located. Chengdu observes the UTC+8 timezone.
To avoid rushing for your SFO to Chengdu flight, leave plenty of time to check in and drop off your luggage. Arriving two hours ahead of international departures and one hour before domestic flights is the standard rule.
Planning to travel during a peak period like public or school holidays? Expect longer queues at check-in and security. Play it safe and arrive up to four hours before international flights and two hours ahead of domestic departures.
Begin your journey at SFO and fly nonstop to Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport (CTU). That's where you can expect to land when searching for San Francisco International Airport to Chengdu tickets.
Get on board with United Airlines. This popular airline offers direct flights from San Francisco International Airport to Chengdu.
Consider adding a stopover to potentially save on your flight ticket from SFO to Chengdu. Just deselect 'Direct flights only' during your search. Take a detour (and maybe pocket some savings) by stopping at one of these airports:
Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG)
Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK)
Wuhan Tianhe International Airport (WUH)
Travelling from central San Francisco to SFO takes around 45 minutes by public transport. If you drive, ride-share or get a cab, you'll cover the 18 kilometres in 20 minutes or so, depending on traffic conditions.
Looking for a hotel near SFO? If you're catching an early flight from San Francisco International Airport to Chengdu, these accommodation options will get you from your pillow to the plane in no time:
When it comes to San Francisco International Airport's on-time performance, data shows 77.36% of flights meet their scheduled arrival time.
How to find the cheapest flights from San Francisco International Airport (SFO) to Chengdu
R 8,528 is currently the lowest price for a one-way San Francisco International Airport to Chengdu flight. Return flight tickets start at R 15,331. These prices can change depending on demand and availability.
Get cheap flights from SFO to Chengdu by booking one month ahead. According to our research, that's the sweet spot for finding the biggest deals.
May is the best month for nabbing an incredible deal on San Francisco International Airport to Chengdu tickets. If you're looking to travel during a different time of year, the 'Whole month' tool will give you the lowest prices for each month.
Picking up a cheap flight from SFO to Chengdu is easy with Price Alerts. Simply create one of these automatic notifications and we'll notify you when a new discount appears.
Tailor your trip with filters. Select your preferred departure and arrival times, airlines and total journey duration. You can also sort your results by 'Fastest,' 'Cheapest' or 'Best' flights from San Francisco International Airport to Chengdu.
Airports in Chengdu
Tianfu International Airport (TFU)
Tianfu International Airport (TFU) is around 72 kilometres from the centre of Chengdu. If you're opting for a ride-share or a cab, the drive takes roughly 1 hour 15 minutes.
Think about booking a hotel close to TFU if you have a late flight from San Francisco International Airport to Chengdu. Settle into one of these options and skip the long transfer:
Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport (CTU)
Central Chengdu is around 21 kilometres from Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport (CTU). Once your flight from San Francisco International Airport to Chengdu has landed and you've navigated your way to arrivals, expect a drive of about 30 minutes.
Following your SFO to Chengdu flight, settle in at a hotel near CTU. These are some great accommodation options that'll help you slip into relaxation mode:
Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport is located at Airport Expressway Entrance.
Best time to go to Chengdu
Carefully consider your travel dates before securing your flight from San Francisco International Airport to Chengdu. The city comes alive during high season, but hotel prices are often higher and major attractions can be crowded. Plan your trip to Chengdu in the off-season if you prefer a more relaxed vibe.
Before booking a San Francisco International Airport to Chengdu flight ticket, think about the kind of weather you prefer. August is the warmest month in Chengdu, with temperatures ranging from 21ºC (70ºF) to 33ºC (91ºF).
Look for cheap tickets from SFO to Chengdu in January if you want to travel in cooler conditions. Temperatures are at their lowest then, ranging between 0ºC (32ºF) and 13ºC (55ºF) on average.
More about Chengdu
Start your Chengdu trip right by choosing the perfect place to stay. Once you've booked your flight from San Francisco International Airport to Chengdu, explore our selection of hotels including:
Wuhou Shrine and Jinli Ancient Street are a couple of major attractions to add to your Chengdu to-do list. Keep the sightseeing going at Sichuan Opera Troupe.
Explore more of China
Nanchong is just one of the many cities in China waiting to be discovered after you've experienced Chengdu. Around 193 kilometres away to the east, well-known attractions include 六合丝博园, 印象嘉陵江文创小镇 and Yinxiang Jialingjiang Wetland Park.
Around 467 kilometres north of Chengdu, Tianshui is another favourite stop in China. Experience the best of this destination with a visit to 伏羲祭祀广场, 成纪儿童公园 and 天水古城.
